Casey Howard, 27, of 145 Water St., admitted to assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of a class B substance and possession of marijuana. The prosecution asked that he be sentenced to three to four years in prison. Howard’s lawyer wants a two-year sentence. Judge Mary-Lou Rup scheduled the sentencing arguments for Monday.

According to police, an officer making a routine check of the public bathrooms in Thornes Marketplace on Jan. 31 discovered Howard in the midst of a drug transaction. Howard fled down the stairs to the food court at Thornes, which was crowded with people in the late afternoon.

Eyewitnesses said Howard struggled with the officer who chased him until other police arrived and helped subdue him. The Class A substance Howard was dealing was Suboxone, police said.